Image input/output apparatus, control method of image input/output apparatus, image input/output system, and storage medium thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to image input/output apparatuses for outputting inputted image data, a control method of the image input/output apparatuses, an image input/output system and a storage medium thereof. According to the present invention, in case of receiving an image output request of outputting image data inputted by another image input/output apparatus using the another image input/output apparatus and an own image input/output apparatus, setting related to sheet size selection of the own image input/output apparatus is disabled, and data size of the image data transferred from the another image input/output apparatus is calculated. Then, output sheet size is selected on the basis of the calculated result.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image input/output apparatus foroutputting inputted image data, a control method of the imageinput/output apparatus, an image input/output system and a storagemedium thereof.

2. Related Background Art

There has been known an image input/output system in which plural imageinput/output apparatuses are connected through a communication mediumsuch as a network or the like. In this kind of the image input/outputsystem, cascade copy for outputting image data inputted to the one imageinput/output apparatus among the plural image input/output apparatusesin parallel to the other image input/output apparatuses on thecommunication medium can be performed.

In this kind of an image processing system, the image input/outputapparatuses having the same function and being attended with the samesetting are connected each other through the communication medium.According to this structure, the cascade copy is performed to increaseprocessing efficiency in processing the image data.

There also has been known an image input/output apparatus having afunction called an APS (Auto Paper Select) mode. In the APS mode, anoriginal size detection sensor provided on an automatic feeder, ascanner unit or the like detects original size, and image size isdetermined by the original size and a copying magnification. Then, anoptimum sheet feed cassette corresponding to the determined image sizecan be automatically selected among plural sheet feed cassettes. Itshould be noted that the term “sheet” and the term “paper” aresynonymous with each other through the present application.

In the above image processing system, in case of performing the cascadecopy among the image input/output apparatuses having the same functionand being attended with the same setting, the same output result can beobtained at each of the image input/output apparatuses, even if the APSfunction is used.

However, in recent years, according to the preparation of networkenvironment, there has been proposed an image formation system in whichplural image input/output apparatuses having different functions areconnected. In this image formation system, in case of performing thecascade copy using such the image input/output apparatuses having thedifferent functions and being attended with different setting contents,there occurs problems that selection processing of the imageinput/output apparatus and a setting operation of an output conditionbecome complex.

For example, the image input/output apparatus has the APS function whileit can manually set sheet size not to be aimed at an APS operation.Therefore, there occurs a case that settings of different outputconditions are set among the image input/output apparatuses. In such thecase, the same image output result can not be obtained among each of theimage input/output apparatuses. According to this fact, since a user hasto previously check detailed output information in order to obtain thesame image output result, there occurred a problem that operability wasdeteriorated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is applied to solve the above problems, and anobject is to provide image input/output apparatuses, a control method ofthe image input/output apparatuses, an image input/output system and astorage medium thereof capable of easily obtaining the same image outputresult among each of the image input/output apparatuses.

To achieve the above object, it is provided an image input/outputapparatus capable of communicating with another image input/outputapparatus through a communication medium for outputting inputted imagedata, comprising:

setting means for performing setting related to sheet size selection;

calculation means for calculating data size of the inputted image data;and

sheet selection means for selecting output sheet size on the basis ofthe calculation result obtained by the calculation means and the settingset by the setting means,

wherein in a case where an image output request of outputting image datainputted by the another image input/output apparatus using the anotherimage input/output apparatus and the own image input/output apparatus isreceived, the setting set by the setting means is disabled, and thecalculation means calculates the data size of the image data transferredfrom the another image input/output apparatus and the sheet selectionmeans selects the output sheet size on the basis of the calculationresult obtained by the calculation means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide image input/outputapparatuses, a control method of the image input/output apparatuses, animage input/output system and a storage medium thereof which can selectthe same recording sheet size can be used in outputting images withoutchecking detailed information of the image input/output apparatuses andimproves operability.

To achieve the above object, it is provided an image input/outputapparatus capable of communicating with another image input/outputapparatus through a communication medium for outputting inputted imagedata, comprising:

image input means for inputting image data;

display means for displaying sheet information of recording sheetscommonly held by the another image input/output apparatus and the ownimage input/output apparatus for outputting the image data inputted bythe image input means;

sheet selection means for selecting output sheet size used in outputtingthe image data on the basis of the sheet information displayed by thedisplay means;

output control means for controlling the own image input/outputapparatus and the another image input/output apparatus to output theimage data on sheets of which size corresponds to the output sheet sizeselected by the sheet selection means,

wherein control information to be transmitted to the another imageinput/output apparatus by the output control means includes informationused in disabling selection setting of recording sheet size according tothe another image input/output apparatus.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide imageinput/output apparatuses, a control method of the image input/outputapparatuses, an image input/output system and a storage medium thereofwhich can automatically select the same recording sheet size can be usedin outputting images without checking the detailed information of theimage input/output apparatuses.

To achieve the above object, it is provided an image input/outputapparatus capable of communicating with another image input/outputapparatus through a communication medium for outputting inputted imagedata, comprising:

image input means for inputting image data;

device selection means for selecting the another image input/outputapparatus for outputting the image data inputted by the image inputmeans;

judgment means for judging whether or not recording sheet size set inthe another image input/output apparatus selected by the deviceselection means is coincided with recording sheet size being selected bythe own image input/output apparatus; and

setting means for disabling the recording sheet size being selected bythe own image input/output apparatus in a case where it is detected thatthe two recording sheet sizes are not coincided with each other by thejudgment means and performing setting related to sheet size selection soas to select output sheet size on the basis of data size of the imagedata inputted by the image input means.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide imageinput/output apparatuses, a control method of the image input/outputapparatuses, an image input/output system and a storage medium thereofwhich can easily realize the same image output condition among each ofplural image input/output apparatuses.

To achieve the above object, it is provided an image input/outputapparatus capable of communicating with another image input/outputapparatus through a communication medium for outputting inputted imagedata, comprising:

judgment means for judging whether or not an image output request usingthe another image input/output apparatus and the own image input/outputapparatus is received from the another image input/output apparatus; and

output control means for controlling an output condition of image datatransferred from the another image input/output apparatus,

wherein the output control means disables sheet selection settingaccording to the own image input/output apparatus in case of judgingthat the image output request is received by the judgment means.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide imageinput/output apparatuses, a control method of the image input/outputapparatuses, an image input/output system and a storage medium thereofwhich can select recording sheet size can be used in outputting imageswithout checking detailed information for an image output and improvesoperability.

To achieve the above object, it is provided an image input/outputapparatus capable of communicating with another image input/outputapparatus through a communication medium for outputting inputted imagedata, comprising:

image input means for inputting image data;

display means for displaying sheet information of recording sheetscommonly held by the another image input/output apparatus and the ownimage input/output apparatus for outputting the image data inputted bythe image input means;

sheet selection means for selecting output sheet size used in outputtingthe image data on the basis of the sheet information displayed by thedisplay means; and

output control means for controlling the own image input/outputapparatus and the another image input/output apparatus to output theimage data on sheets of which size corresponds to the output sheet sizeselected by the sheet selection means.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide imageinput/output apparatuses, a control method of the image input/outputapparatuses, an image input/output system and a storage medium thereofwhich can automatically select the same recording sheet size can be usedin outputting images without checking the detailed information for animage output.

To achieve the above object, it is provided an image input/outputapparatus capable of communicating with another image input/outputapparatus through a communication medium for outputting inputted imagedata, comprising:

judgment means for judging whether or not recording sheet size set inthe another image input/output apparatus is coincided with recordingsheet size being selected by the own image input/output apparatus incase of outputting the image data inputted by the own image input/outputapparatus and the another image input/output apparatus; and

sheet selection means for disabling the recording sheet size beingselected by the own image input/output apparatus in a case where it isdetected that the two recording sheet sizes are not coincided with eachother by the judgment means and selecting output sheet size on the basisof data size of the inputted image data.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide imageinput/output apparatuses, a control method of the image input/outputapparatuses, an image input/output system and a storage medium thereofin which a printer at a remote side can easily obtain the same imageoutput result as that of a printer at a local side without disabling acopying operation of the printer at the remote side.

To achieve the above object, it is provided a remote image input/outputapparatus, which has a second scanner unit for reading image data oforiginals and a second printer unit for feeding output sheets from asheet feed stage storing recording sheets and printing the image data onthe output sheets, capable of communicating with a local imageinput/output apparatus which has a first scanner unit and a firstprinter unit through a predetermined network, comprising:

setting means for setting recording sheet size to be selected in outputsheet size selection based on size of input image data;

calculation means for calculating data size of the input image data;

sheet selection means for selecting output sheet size used in printingthe input image data by the second printer unit among recording sheetsizes set to be selected by the setting means on the basis of thecalculation result obtained by the calculation means; and

judgment means for judging whether or not a cascade copy request forimage data read by the first scanner unit using the first printer unitand the second printer unit is received from the local imageinput/output apparatus,

wherein the setting set by the setting means is disabled in case ofjudging that the cascade copy request is received by the judgment means,and the calculation means calculates data size of image data transferredfrom the local image input/output apparatus, the sheet selection meansselects the output sheet size on the basis of the calculation resultobtained by the calculation means, and the second printer unit printsthe transferred image data on a sheet of which size corresponds to theoutput sheet size selected by the sheet selection means.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide imageinput/output apparatuses, a control method of the image input/outputapparatuses, an image input/output system and a storage medium thereofwhich can select the same recording sheet size can be used in outputtingimages without checking detailed information of the printer at theremote side by an operator and improves operability.

To achieve the above object, it is provided a local image input/outputapparatus, which has a first scanner unit for reading image data oforiginals and a first printer unit for feeding output sheets from asheet feed stage storing recording sheets and printing the image data onthe output sheets, capable of communicating with a remote imageinput/output apparatus which has a second scanner unit and a secondprinter unit through a predetermined network, comprising:

display means for displaying sheet information of recording sheetscommonly held by the remote image input/output apparatus and the ownimage input/output apparatus for printing the image data read by thefirst scanner unit;

sheet selection means for selecting print sheet size used in printingthe image data on the basis of the sheet information displayed by thedisplay means; and

print control means for controlling the own image input/output apparatusand the remote image input/output apparatus to print the image data onsheets of which size corresponds to the output sheet size selected bythe sheet selection means,

wherein control information transmitted to the remote image input/outputapparatus by the print control means includes information used indisabling selection information of recording sheet size previously setby the remote image input/output apparatus.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide imageinput/output apparatuses, a control method of the image input/outputapparatuses, an image input/output system and a storage medium thereofwhich can automatically select the same recording sheet size can be usedin outputting images without checking the detailed information of theprinter at the remote side.

To achieve the above object, it is provided a local image input/outputapparatus, which has a first scanner unit for reading image data oforiginals and a first printer unit for feeding output sheets from asheet feed stage storing recording sheets and printing the image data onthe output sheets, capable of communicating with a remote imageinput/output apparatus which has a second scanner unit and a secondprinter unit through a predetermined network, comprising:

device selection means for selecting the remote image input/outputapparatus for printing the image data read by the first scanner unit;

judgment means for judging whether or not recording sheet size set inthe remote image input/output apparatus selected by the device selectionmeans is coincided with recording sheet size being selected by the ownimage input/output apparatus; and

setting means for disabling the recording sheet size being selected bythe own image input/output apparatus in a case where it is detected thatthe two recording sheet sizes are not coincided with each other by thejudgment means and performing setting related to sheet size selection soas to select output sheet size on the basis of data size of the imagedata to be read by the first scanner unit.

The above and other objects of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description and the attacheddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an entire structural diagram indicating the embodiment of animage processing system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective diagram of an image input/outputapparatus;

FIG. 3 is a front diagram showing an outline of an operation unit;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an initial screen on an LCD unit of theoperation unit;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control unit;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the controlunit and the operation unit;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a printer selection window;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a window indicating a cascade standardscreen;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a detailed information display window;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sheet selection window;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart indicating an operation procedure of softkeys onthe LCD unit;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart indicating a recording sheet setting procedureperformed in a local printer;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a common specification setting window;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an automatic sheet selection settingwindow; and

FIG. 15 is a flow chart indicating a recording sheet setting procedureperformed in a remote printer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a system structural diagram indicating the embodiment of animage processing system according to the present invention. In thisimage processing system, three image input/output apparatuses 1 (a localprinter 1 a and remote printers 1 b and 1 c) are connected each otherthrough a LAN (Local Area Network) 2 acting as a network.

The image input/output apparatuses 1 a, 1 b and 1 c respectively havescanner units 3 a, 3 b and 3 c for performing processing of readingimage data, printer units 4 a, 4 b and 4 c for outputting the image dataand operation units 5 a, 5 b and 5 c for performing a readinginstruction or an outputting instruction of the image data. Further,control units 7 a, 7 b and 7 c connected to a LAN 2 and a WAN (Wide AreaNetwork; a public telephone line network) 6 and connected to each of theabove structural components for performing entire control of theapparatuses are provided.

In the embodiment, the image data is read by the scanner unit 3 a in thelocal printer 1 a, and the read image data is outputted to the printerunit 4 a in the own apparatus and transmitted to the remote printer 1 b.The same image data as that to be outputted from the printer unit 4 a isalso outputted from the printer unit 4 b in the remote printer 1 b withthe same output condition.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective diagram showing an exterior of theimage processing apparatus 1.

A printer unit 4 is provided at a lower position of the image processingapparatus 1. In the printer unit 4, raster image data is converted intoimage data on a recording sheet, and its method may be any system of anelectrophotographic system using a photosensitive drum or aphotosensitive belt, an inkjet system for directly printing an image ona sheet by ejecting ink from a microscopic nuzzle array, and the like.In the printer unit 4, plural sheet feed cassettes (first to third sheetfeed cassettes 8 a, 8 b and 8 c) are provided so as to select differentsheet size and different sheet direction, and a sheet discharge tray 9for discharging a recording sheet on which the image data is printed isalso provided.

A scanner unit 3 and an operation unit 5 are provided at an upperposition of the printer unit 4, and a sheet feeder unit 11 having anoriginal tray 10 is provided on the scanner unit 3.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front diagram showing an exterior of the operationunit 5.

In FIG. 3, a start key 12 is operated in case of starting a readingoperation of original images. In a central portion of the start key 12,an LED unit 13 lighting by green or red color is provided. It isdetected whether or not the start key 12 can be used according tolighting color of the LED unit 13. A stop key 14 is operated in case ofstopping a running operation. A reset key 15 is operated in case ofinitializing setting state of the operation unit 5. An ID key 16 isoperated when an operator inputs a user ID. A key group 17 of variouskeys is structured by the start key 12, the stop key 14, the reset key15 and the ID key 16.

A touchscreen 19 is adhered to a surface of an LCD unit 18, whichdisplays an operation screen of the system and softkeys and transmitsposition information, that is, coordinates information to a control unit7 when the displayed softkeys are depressed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram indicating an initial screen of the LCD unit 18. Onthe initial screen, a state of a local copy mode is displayed at anoutput destination display part 29 and various softkeys used in settingand controlling an output condition are displayed.

In FIG. 4, a direct key 20 is depressed in case of outputting an inputimage with an equivalent magnification. A zoom key 21 is depressed incase of performing zoom setting for the purpose of outputting the inputimage by zooming it. A sheet selection key 22 is depressed in case ofsetting selection of output sheet size. A two-sided copy key 23 isdepressed in case of printing images on two sides of a recording sheet.A finishing key 24 is depressed in case of performing sort setting ofoutput sheets. A density setting key 25 is depressed in case of settingor varying image output density. A special features mode setting key 26is depressed in case of setting other special features functions.

A one-touch cascade key 27 is depressed in case of easily setting acascade copy mode for simultaneously outputting a read image to pluralimage processing apparatuses on the LAN 2. An output device selectionkey 28 is depressed in case of selecting the image processing apparatusfor outputting the image data.

An actual output destination is displayed at the output destinationdisplay part 29, where setting of a local copy mode of outputting imagedata to the own apparatus, a remote copy mode of outputting the imagedata to another image processing apparatus on the LAN 2 or the abovecascade copy mode can be performed. These setting modes, devices ofoutput destination, a zooming ratio, recording sheet size, the number ofcopies and the like are displayed at the output destination display part29.

By depressing the above various softkeys, a window used for performingdetailed setting is displayed as much as desired to be described later,and an operation of the remote copy mode or the cascade copy mode can beperformed.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the detailed structure of the controlunit 7.

A CPU 30 acts as a controller for entirely controlling the system. A RAM31 temporarily stores image data or other operation data is used as awork area of the CPU 30. A boot program, a control program to bedescribed later, or the like is stored in a ROM 32. Software of thesystem or the image data is stored in a hard disk drive (HDD) 33. Anoperation I/F unit 34 controls an interface operation between the ownunit and the operation unit 5. A network I/F unit 35 connected to theLAN 2 executes input/output processing of various information betweenthe own unit and the LAN 2. A MODEM 36 connected to the WAN 6 executesinput/output processing of various information between the own unit andthe WAN 6.

The above structural components are connected each other through asystem bus 37.

An image I/F unit 38 connects the system bus 37 to an image bus 39 toconvert the data structure.

The image bus 39 structured by a PCI (Peripheral ComponentInterconnected) bus or IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers 1394) Standard transmits the image data at high speed. To thisimage bus 39, a raster image processor (RIP) unit 40, a device I/F unit41, a scanner image processing unit 42, a printer image processing unit43, an image rotation unit 44 and an image compression unit 45 areconnected.

The RIP unit 40 develops PDL (Page Description Language) codes intobit-map image data. The device I/F unit 41 connected to the scanner unit3 and the printer unit 4 performs conversion of sync system/nonsyncsystem of the image data. The scanner image processing unit 42 performsa correcting operation, a processing operation and an editing operationfor input image data. The printer image processing unit 43 performscorrecting of the printer, resolution conversion or the like for printoutput image data. The image rotation unit 44 rotates the image data.The image compression unit 45 executes compression/decompressionprocessing such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) processingfor multi level image data, and JBIG (Joint Bi-level Image expertsGroup) processing, MMR (Modified Modified READ (Relative ElementAddress)) encoding processing, MH (Modified Huffman) encoding processingor the like for binary image data.

In this structured image processing apparatus 1, original sheets are setin the original tray 10 of an original feeder unit 11, and when a userissues an instruction of starting the image read by operating theoperation unit 5, the CPU 30 in the control unit 7 issues an instructionof reading original images for the scanner unit 3. According to thisoperation, image originals are fed one by one from the original feederunit 11 to the scanner unit 3, where original images are illuminated andconverted into an electric signal as raster image data by scanning a CCDline sensor (not shown).

The printer unit 4 starts a printing operation according to aninstruction from the CPU 30 and outputs an image signal as outputinformation. That is, in the printer unit 4, the CPU 30 totally controlsaccessing to various devices connected to the system bus 37 on the basisof a control program stored in the ROM 32 and reads input informationfrom the scanner unit 3 to output it to the printer unit 4.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram indicating connecting relationship between theoperation unit 5 and the operation I/F unit 34, which has an input port34 a and an output port 34 b. The input port 34 a is connected to thekey group 17 of various keys and the touchscreen 19. The output port 34b is connected to the LCD unit 18 and the LED unit 13.

At the operation unit 5, the operation contents is obtained via theinput port 34 a of the operation I/F unit 34 upon receiving inputinformation inputted by the user from the touchscreen 19 or the keygroup 17 of various keys, and the CPU 30 creates display screen data onthe basis of the obtained operation contents and the control programstored in the ROM 32 to output it to the LCD unit 18 via the output port34 b of the operation I/F unit 34.

At the operation unit 5, display on the LCD unit 18 is switched byperforming an operation on a display screen such as depression of thetouchscreen 19 or the like, and an output destination device for theprints is designated, a sheet selection screen corresponding to theoutput destination is displayed and desired sheet size is inputted.

FIG. 7 is a diagram indicating a printer selection window which isdisplayed in case of depressing the output device selection key 28 onthe initial screen (FIG. 4). The output destination for the cascade copyis set by operating the printer selection window.

That is, when the output device selection key 28 is depressed, thedisplay screen is switched to the printer selection window as shown inFIG. 7. The printer selection window has plural display areas for outputdevices ready to output (in the embodiment, display areas 46 a and 46 bfor first and second output devices ready to output), and each of theoutput devices ready to output is displayed in each of the display areas46 a and 46 b. Accordingly, the output devices ready to output aredisplayed as a list. In the embodiment, the local printer 1 a being theown apparatus and the remote printer 1 b connected to the LAN 2 arerespectively displayed in the display areas 46 a and 46 b.

In a state that the output device selection key 28 is depressed on theinitial screen, an output mode is set to the local copy mode, and thelocal printer 1 a is reversely displayed in the display area 46 a (inFIG. 7, indicated by oblique lines) for the first output device ready tooutput, and an icon indicating the remote printer 1 b, status thereofand a device name are displayed. In this state, when a cascade copy key47 is depressed, a check mark is given to a portion of the remoteprinter 1 b (in FIG. 7 indicated by “A”). Accordingly, the output deviceon the LAN 2 for performing the cascade copy is specified.

In the embodiment, a case that the local printer 1 a being the ownapparatus and the remote printer 1 b are connected on the LAN 2 isindicated on the printer selection window. However, in a case where twoor more than remote printers are connected on the LAN 2, all the remoteprinters are displayed on the printer selection window as a list. Inthis case, by successively depressing the cascade copy key 47, the checkmark is given to each of the remote printers, and setting of the cascadecopy can be released for a specified remote printer by depressing thecascade copy key 47 predetermined times.

When a close key 61 is depressed, the printer selection window isclosed. In a case where the output mode is set to the cascade copy modeas described above, the display screen is switched to a cascade standardscreen shown in FIG. 8. That is, in the cascade standard screen, acascade icon 51 for indicating setting of the cascade copy and acharacter string 52 indicating cascade copy setting are displayed at theoutput destination display part 29.

Detailed information of the remote printer 1 b can be confirmed bydepressing a detailed information key 48.

FIG. 9 is a diagram indicating a detailed information setting windowdisplayed by depressing the detailed information key 48. In a sheetselection area 49, recording sheet size is displayed. When the cascadecopy is performed, recording sheet information, to which the check markis given, is obtained in the sheet selection area 49 through the LAN 2,and setting of the output sheets used in the cascade copy is performed.

When a close key 62 is depressed, the detailed information settingwindow is closed and the display screen is switched to the printerselection window (FIG. 7).

When the sheet selection key 22 is depressed in the cascade standardscreen (FIG. 8), the display screen is switched to a sheet selectionwindow shown in FIG. 10, where a recording sheet, on which an image isoutputted from each of the output devices, is selected. That is, thesheet selection window has an output sheet size display area 50, wherecommon recording sheet size capable of being outputted by the localprinter 1 a and the selected remote printer 1 b is displayed. In theembodiment, an APS mode is selected. Accordingly, the output sheet isautomatically selected among sheet sizes (in the embodiment, B4 size, A3size, A4 size and envelope) displayed in the output sheet size displayarea 50, and image data is outputted on the selected output sheet.

In the APS mode of the embodiment, an original size detection sensorprovided at the scanner unit 3 a detects original size, and image sizeis determined according to the detected original size and a copyingmagnification. In accordance with the determined image size, the outputsheet is automatically selected among the sheet sizes displayed in theoutput sheet size display area 50.

In a case where the APS mode is not set, the user optionally selects theoutput sheet size displayed in the output sheet size display area 50,and the image data is outputted on the selected output sheet.

As above, the image data can be outputted on the same sized outputsheets at the local printer 1 a and the remote printer 1 b.

By depressing a close key 63, the sheet selection window is closed andthe display screen is switched to the cascade standard screen (FIG. 8).

FIG. 11 is a flow chart indicating an operating procedure of thesoftkeys displayed on the LCD unit 18. The program of this processingprocedure stored in the ROM 32 is executed by the CPU 30.

In a step S1, it is judged whether or not any of the softkeys on thetouchscreen 19 is depressed. When the key is not depressed, wait for thedepression of the key. While, when any of the softkeys is depressed, theflow advances to a step S2, where the depressed softkey is discriminatedon the basis of the current display screen. In a subsequent step S3,predetermined processing corresponding to the depressed softkey isexecuted, then the flow returns to the step S1. That is, in accordancewith the depressed softkey, for example, bit-map data stored in the ROM32 is transferred to the LCD unit 18 to display it, or setting contentsis stored in the RAM 31, thereafter the flow returns to the step S1.

In case of performing the cascade copy, setting processing of thecascade copy or setting processing of the output sheet is executed bydepressing the output device selection key 28 or the sheet selection key22, then a copying operation is performed.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart indicating an output sheet setting procedure incase of performing the cascade copy. The program of this processingprocedure stored in the ROM 32 of the local printer 1 a is executed bythe CPU 30.

At first, in a step S11, it is judged whether or not the sheet selectionkey 22 is depressed. When the sheet selection key 22 is depressed, thedisplay screen is switched to the sheet selection window (FIG. 10).Then, in a step S12, it is judged whether or not the cascade copy modeis set.

In the step S12, when it is judged that the cascade copy mode is set,for example, if the remote printer 1 b was already selected as a printerfor the cascade copy, common recording sheet size which can be outputtedby the local printer 1 a and the remote printer 1 b is displayed on thesheet selection window in a step S13. Then, the flow advances to a stepS15.

On the other hand, in the step S12, when it is judged that the cascadecopy mode is not set, that is, in a case where the local copy mode isset, the flow advances to a step S14, where the sheet size set in thelocal printer 1 a is displayed on the sheet selection window. Then, theflow advances to the step S15.

In the step S15, wait for the depression of the close key 63 on thesheet selection window, and the flow returns to the step S11 upondepressing the close key 63.

On the other hand, when the sheet selection key 22 is not depressed inthe step S11, the flow advances to a step S16, where it is judgedwhether or not the output device selection key 28 is depressed.

When it is judged that the output device selection key 28 is depressed,the display screen is switched to the printer selection window in a stepS17, where the registered printers ready to output are displayed as alist. At this time, a check mark is given to the output device (forexample, the local printer 1 a), to which an outputting operation is tobe currently performed.

In a subsequent step S18, it is judged whether or not the cascade copykey 47 is depressed. When it is judged that the cascade copy key 47 isnot depressed, the flow returns to the step S17. On the other hand, whenit is judged that the cascade copy key 47 is depressed in the step S18,a check mark is given to the remote printer 1 b to which the cascadecopy is to be performed, and the display screen is switched to thecascade standard screen (FIG. 8) by depressing the close key 61. Then,the flow advances to a step S19.

In the step S19, it is judged whether or not sheet size which is same asthat of the recording sheet set on the remote printer 1 b is selected,and the judged result is displayed at the output destination displaypart 29 in the cascade standard screen.

When it is judged that the same sheet size is selected (in case of Yes),the flow immediately advances to a step S21.

On the other hand, when it is judged that the same sheet size is notselected (in case of No), the flow advances to a step S20, where sheetsize information of the selected recording sheet is cleared, and the APSmode for automatically determining the sheet size is set among modeswhich can be set by depressing the special features mode setting key 26or the zoom key 21, then the flow advances to the step S21. That is, ina case where the output sheet at the local printer 1 a is different fromthe output sheet at the remote printer 1 b, since an output image underthe same output condition can not be obtained, the sheet sizeinformation being selected at the local printer 1 a is cleared, and theAPS mode is set such that the recording sheet which also can beoutputted at the remote printer 1 b is to be selected.

Subsequently, in the step S21, the remote printer 1 b and the localprinter 1 a selected on the printer selection window are reverselydisplayed. In a step S22, wait for the depression of the close key 61,and when the close key 61 is depressed, the flow returns to the stepS11.

After then, when NO in the step S16, the flow advances to a step S23,where wait for the depression of the start key 12 in the operation unit5 (see FIG. 3). When the start key 12 is not depressed, the flow returnsto the step S11. On the other hand, when the start key 12 is depressed,a copying operation is started in the step S23, and processing isterminated.

As above, the recording sheets which can be outputted with the same sizecan be automatically selected without checking detailed information ofthe remote printer 1 b when the cascade copy mode is set, therebyimproving operability.

Next, the explanation will be given for a case of setting the outputcondition at the remote printer 1 b side such that the output conditionis coincided with setting set in the local printer 1 a.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display screen of a common specificationsetting window for customizing output control of the remote printer 1 b.

On the common specification setting window, when a cassette automaticselection key 53 is depressed, an APS setting window shown in FIG. 14 isdisplayed. The APS setting window has a sheet size display area 54 usedfor displaying size of the recording sheets held by the remote printer 1b and an on/off key display area 55 for setting whether or not the APSoperation is performed to each of the recording sheets displayed in thesheet size display area 54. By selecting an off-state using each ofon/off keys displayed in the on/off key display area 55, the recordingsheets set in the off-state can not be used in case of performing thecopying operation at the remote printer 1 b side. However, in thecascade copy mode, setting set in the local printer 1 a is required tobe effective. Accordingly, the output condition is controlled at theremote printer 1 b side according to a flow chart shown in FIG. 15. Theprogram of this processing procedure stored in the ROM 32 of the remoteprinter 1 b is executed by the CPU 30.

In a step S31, when the remote printer 1 b is in a state of waiting foran image output request, the flow advances to a step S32, where it isjudged whether or not the image output request is issued. When the imageoutput request is issued, the flow advances to a step S33, where imagesize is calculated on the basis of image information to be outputted. Inthe embodiment, the image size is calculated from image data transferredtogether with the image output request.

In a subsequent step S34, it is judged whether or not a cascade copyoutput request is issued. When it is judged that the cascade copy outputrequest is instructed, the output condition at the local printer 1 a isrequired to be effective. Accordingly, sheet selection informationselected in the APS setting window shown in FIG. 14 is temporarilydisabled, and a sheet feed cassette which corresponds to the same outputcondition as that of the local printer 1 a is selected on the basis ofthe image size calculated in the step S33.

Then, the flow advances to a step S36, where the recording sheet is fedfrom the sheet feed cassette selected in a step S35 to output the imagedata on that recording sheet.

On the other hand, when the cascade copy output request is notinstructed in the step S34, the flow advances to a step S37, where anoptimum sheet feed cassette is selected on the basis of the image sizecalculated in the step S33.

In a subsequent step S38, it is judged whether or not the recordingsheets stored in the selected sheet feed cassette are suitable for theAPS operation. When YES in the step S38, the flow advances to the stepS36, where the image data is outputted on the selected recording sheet.

On the other hand, when NO in the step S38, it is judged in a step S39whether or not the recording sheet to be retrieved exists. Then, whenYES in the step S39, the flow returns to the step S37, where thatrecording sheet is retrieved again, wherein when NO in the step S39, theflow advances to a step S40. In the step S40, a fact that the optimumsized recording sheet can not be selected is displayed on the LCD unit18 in the operation unit 5, then processing is terminated.

As above, in the embodiment, the remote printer 1 b which received thecascade copy request temporarily disables setting of the sheetinformation and makes the output condition coincide with that of thelocal printer 1 a such that the output sheet coincides with thatselected at the local printer 1 a side. Therefore, the remote printer 1b can easily obtain the same image output result as that of the localprinter 1 a without stopping the copying operation.

It is needless to say that the present invention is completed in a casewhere a storage medium storing the program codes of software forrealizing the functions of the embodiment is supplied to a system or anapparatus and then a computer (or CPU or MPU) in the system or theapparatus reads and executes the program codes stored in the storagemedium (e.g., the RAM 31 in the embodiment).

In this case, the program codes themselves read from the storage mediumrealize the functions of the embodiment, and the storage medium storingsuch the program codes constitute the present invention. The storagemedium for supplying the program codes can be, for example, a floppydisk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magnetooptical disk, a CD-ROM, aCD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, or the like.It is needless to say that the present invention also includes not onlya case where the functions of the above embodiment are realized by theexecution of the program codes read by the computer, but also a casewhere an OS or the like functioning on the computer executes all theprocess or a part thereof according to the instructions of the programcodes, thereby realizing the functions of the above embodiment.

Further, it is needless to say that the present invention includes acase where the program codes read from the storage medium are oncestored in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted inthe computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, anda CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or thefunction expansion unit executes all the process or a part thereofaccording to the instructions of the program codes, thereby realizingthe functions of the above embodiment.

As above, the present invention has been explained on the basis of thepreferable embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited tothe above embodiment, but may be modified in various manners within thescope of the following claims.

1. An image input/output apparatus capable of communicating with anotherimage input/output apparatus through a communication medium foroutputting inputted image data, comprising: setting means for performingsetting related to sheet size selection; calculation means forcalculating data size of the inputted image data; and sheet selectionmeans for selecting output sheet size on the basis of a calculationresult obtained by said calculation means and the setting set by saidsetting means, wherein in a case where an image output request ofoutputting image data inputted by the another image input/outputapparatus using the another image input/output apparatus and the ownimage input/output apparatus is received, the setting set by saidsetting means is disabled, and said calculation means calculates thedata size of the image data transferred from the another imageinput/output apparatus and said sheet selection means selects the outputsheet size on the basis of the calculation result obtained by saidcalculation means.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising: output control means for controlling to output thetransferred image data on a sheet of which size corresponds to theoutput sheet size selected by said sheet selection means.
 3. Anapparatus according to claim 2, wherein said output control meanscontrols to feed an output sheet of which size is selected by said sheetselection means from a sheet feed stage storing recording sheets andcontrols a printer unit to output the transferred image data on theoutput sheet.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said settingmeans sets whether or not size of the recording sheets stored in thesheet feed stage can be selected by said sheet selection means.
 5. Anapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the another image input/outputapparatus has a scanner unit for inputting image data by readingoriginals, and the transferred image data is the image data inputted bythe scanner unit.
 6. An image input/output apparatus capable ofcommunicating with another image input/output apparatus through acommunication medium for outputting inputted image data, comprising:image input means for inputting image data; display means for displayingsheet information of recording sheets commonly held by the another imageinput/output apparatus and the own image input/output apparatus foroutputting the image data inputted by said image input means; sheetselection means for selecting output sheet size used in outputting theimage data on the basis of the sheet information displayed by saiddisplay means; output control means for controlling the own imageinput/output apparatus and the another image input/output apparatus tooutput the image data on sheets of which size corresponds to the outputsheet size selected by said sheet selection means, wherein controlinformation to be transmitted to the another image input/outputapparatus by said output control means includes information used indisabling selection setting of recording sheet size according to theanother image input/output apparatus.
 7. An apparatus according to claim6, wherein the control information to be transmitted by said outputcontrol means includes an image output request to be issued by the ownimage input/output apparatus and the another image input/outputapparatus, and the another image input/output apparatus disables theselection setting of the own recording sheet size in a case where theimage output request is received.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 6,wherein said image input means is a scanner unit, and the scanner unitinputs the image data by reading originals.
 9. An apparatus according toclaim 6, wherein said output control means controls to feed an outputsheet of which size is selected by said sheet selection means from asheet feed stage storing recording sheets and controls a printer unit tooutput the image data on the output sheet.
 10. An apparatus according toclaim 6, wherein said sheet selection means selects the output sheetsize used in outputting the image data on the basis of the sheetinformation displayed by said display means and data size of the imagedata.
 11. An image input/output apparatus capable of communicating withanother image input/output apparatus through a communication medium foroutputting inputted image data, comprising: image input means forinputting image data; device selection means for selecting the anotherimage input/output apparatus for outputting the image data inputted bysaid image input means; judgment means for judging whether or notrecording sheet size set in the another image input/output apparatusselected by said device selection means is coincided with recordingsheet size being selected by the own image input/output apparatus; andsetting means for disabling the recording sheet size being selected bythe own image input/output apparatus in a case where it is detected thatthe two recording sheet sizes are not coincided with each other by saidjudgment means and performing setting related to sheet size selection soas to select output sheet size on the basis of data size of the imagedata inputted by said image input means.
 12. An apparatus according toclaim 11, further comprising: output control means for controlling theown image input/output apparatus and the another image input/outputapparatus to output the image data on sheets of which size correspondsto the output sheet size selected on the basis of the setting set bysaid setting means.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein saidoutput control means controls to feed an output sheet of which size isselected on the basis of the setting from a sheet feed stage storingrecording sheets and controls a printer unit to output the image datainputted by said image input means on the output sheet.
 14. An apparatusaccording to claim 12, wherein control information to be transmitted bysaid output control means includes an image output request to be issuedby the own image input/output apparatus and the another imageinput/output apparatus, and the another image input/output apparatusdisables selection setting of the own recording sheet size in a casewhere the image output request is received.
 15. An apparatus accordingto claim 11, wherein said image input means is a scanner unit, and thescanner unit inputs the image data by reading originals.
 16. An imageinput/output apparatus capable of communicating with another imageinput/output apparatus through a communication medium for outputtinginputted image data, comprising: judgment means for judging whether ornot an image output request using the another image input/outputapparatus and the own image input/output apparatus is received from theanother image input/output apparatus; and output control means forcontrolling an output condition of image data transferred from theanother image input/output apparatus, wherein said output control meansdisables sheet selection setting according to the own image input/outputapparatus in case of judging that the image output request is receivedby said judgment means.
 17. An image input/output apparatus capable ofcommunicating with another image input/output apparatus through acommunication medium for outputting inputted image data, comprising:image input means for inputting image data; display means for displayingsheet information of recording sheets commonly held by the another imageinput/output apparatus and the own image input/output apparatus foroutputting the image data inputted by said image input means; sheetselection means for selecting output sheet size used in outputting theimage data on the basis of the sheet information displayed by saiddisplay means; and output control means for controlling the own imageinput/output apparatus and the another image input/output apparatus tooutput the image data on sheets of which size corresponds to the outputsheet size selected by said sheet selection means.
 18. An imageinput/output apparatus capable of communicating with another imageinput/output apparatus through a communication medium for outputtinginputted image data, comprising: judgment means for judging whether ornot recording sheet size set in the another image input/output apparatusis coincided with recording sheet size being selected by the own imageinput/output apparatus in case of outputting the image data inputted bythe own image input/output apparatus and the another image input/outputapparatus; and sheet selection means for disabling the recording sheetsize being selected by the own image input/output apparatus in a casewhere it is detected that the two recording sheet sizes are notcoincided with each other by said judgment means and selecting outputsheet size on the basis of data size of the inputted image data.
 19. Aremote image input/output apparatus, which has a second scanner unit forreading image data of originals and a second printer unit for feedingoutput sheets from a sheet feed stage storing recording sheets andprinting the image data on the output sheets, capable of communicatingwith a local image input/output apparatus which has a first scanner unitand a first printer unit through a predetermined network, comprising:setting means for setting recording sheet size to be selected in outputsheet size selection based on size of input image data; calculationmeans for calculating data size of the input image data; sheet selectionmeans for selecting output sheet size used in printing the input imagedata by the second printer unit among recording sheet sizes set to beselected by said setting means on the basis of a calculation resultobtained by said calculation means; and judgment means for judgingwhether or not a cascade copy request for image data read by the firstscanner unit using the first printer unit and the second printer unit isreceived from the local image input/output apparatus, wherein thesetting set by said setting means is disabled in case of judging thatthe cascade copy request is received by said judgment means, and saidcalculation means calculates data size of image data transferred fromthe local image input/output apparatus, said sheet selection meansselects the output sheet size on the basis of the calculation resultobtained by said calculation means, and the second printer unit printsthe transferred image data on a sheet of which size corresponds to theoutput sheet size selected by said sheet selection means.
 20. A localimage input/output apparatus, which has a first scanner unit for readingimage data of originals and a first printer unit for feeding outputsheets from a sheet feed stage storing recording sheets and printing theimage data on the output sheets, capable of communicating with a remoteimage input/output apparatus which has a second scanner unit and asecond printer unit through a predetermined network, comprising: displaymeans for displaying sheet information of recording sheets commonly heldby the remote image input/output apparatus and the own imageinput/output apparatus for printing the image data read by the firstscanner unit; sheet selection means for selecting print sheet size usedin printing the image data on the basis of the sheet informationdisplayed by said display means; and print control means for controllingthe own image input/output apparatus and the remote image input/outputapparatus to print the image data on sheets of which size corresponds tothe output sheet size selected by said sheet selection means, whereincontrol information transmitted to the remote image input/outputapparatus by said print control means includes information used indisabling selection information of recording sheet size previously setby the remote image input/output apparatus.
 21. A local imageinput/output apparatus, which has a first scanner unit for reading imagedata of originals and a first printer unit for feeding output sheetsfrom a sheet feed stage storing recording sheets and printing the imagedata on the output sheets, capable of communicating with a remote imageinput/output apparatus which has a second scanner unit and a secondprinter unit through a predetermined network, comprising: deviceselection means for selecting the remote image input/output apparatusfor printing the image data read by the first scanner unit; judgmentmeans for judging whether or not recording sheet size set in the remoteimage input/output apparatus selected by said device selection means iscoincided with recording sheet size being selected by the own imageinput/output apparatus; and setting means for disabling the recordingsheet size being selected by the own image input/output apparatus in acase where it is detected that the two recording sheet sizes are notcoincided with each other by said judgment means and performing settingrelated to sheet size selection so as to select output sheet size on thebasis of data size of the image data to be read by the first scannerunit.
 22. An image output method of an image input/output apparatuscapable of communicating with another image input/output apparatusthrough a communication medium for outputting inputted image data,comprising: a setting step of performing setting related to sheet sizeselection; a calculation step of calculating data size of the inputtedimage data; and a sheet selection step of selecting output sheet size onthe basis of a calculation result obtained by said calculation step andthe setting set by said setting step, wherein in a case where an imageoutput request of outputting image data inputted by the another imageinput/output apparatus using the another image input/output apparatusand the own image input/output apparatus is received, the setting set bysaid setting step is disabled, and said calculation step calculates thedata size of the image data transferred from the another imageinput/output apparatus and said sheet selection step selects the outputsheet size on the basis of the calculation result obtained by saidcalculation step.
 23. A method according to claim 22, furthercomprising: an output control step of controlling to output thetransferred image data on a sheet of which size corresponds to theoutput sheet size selected by said sheet selection step.
 24. A methodaccording to claim 23, wherein said output control step controls to feedan output sheet of which size is selected by said sheet selection stepfrom a sheet feed stage storing recording sheets and controls a printerunit to output the transferred image data on the output sheet.
 25. Amethod according to claim 24, wherein said setting step sets whether ornot size of the recording sheets stored in the sheet feed stage can beselected by said sheet selection step.
 26. A method according to claim22, wherein the another image input/output apparatus has a scanner unitfor inputting image data by reading originals, and the transferred imagedata is the image data inputted by the scanner unit.
 27. An image outputmethod of an image input/output apparatus capable of communicating withanother image input/output apparatus through a communication medium foroutputting inputted image data, comprising: an image input step ofinputting image data; a display step of displaying sheet information ofrecording sheets commonly held by the another image input/outputapparatus and the own image input/output apparatus for outputting theimage data inputted by said image input step on a display; a sheetselection step of selecting output sheet size used in outputting theimage data on the basis of the sheet information displayed by saiddisplay step; an output control step of controlling the own imageinput/output apparatus and the another image input/output apparatus tooutput the image data on sheets of which size corresponds to the outputsheet size selected by said sheet selection step, wherein controlinformation to be transmitted to the another image input/outputapparatus by said output control step includes information used indisabling selection setting of recording sheet size according to theanother image input/output apparatus.
 28. A method according to claim27, wherein the control information to be transmitted by said outputcontrol step includes an image output request to be issued by the ownimage input/output apparatus and the another image input/outputapparatus, and the another image input/output apparatus disables theselection setting of the own recording sheet size in a case where theimage output request is received.
 29. A method according to claim 27,wherein said image input step inputs the image data by reading originalsusing a scanner unit.
 30. A method according to claim 27, wherein saidoutput control step controls to feed an output sheet of which size isselected by said sheet selection step from a sheet feed stage storingrecording sheets and controls a printer unit to output the image data onthe output sheet.
 31. A method according to claim 27, wherein said sheetselection step selects the output sheet size used in outputting theimage data on the basis of the sheet information displayed by saiddisplay step and data size of the image data.
 32. An image output methodof an image input/output apparatus capable of communicating with anotherimage input/output apparatus through a communication medium foroutputting inputted image data, comprising: an image input step ofinputting image data; a device selection step of selecting the anotherimage input/output apparatus for outputting the image data inputted bysaid image input step; a judgment step of judging whether or notrecording sheet size set in the another image input/output apparatusselected by said device selection step is coincided with recording sheetsize being selected by the own image input/output apparatus; and asetting step of disabling the recording sheet size being selected by theown image input/output apparatus in a case where it is detected that thetwo recording sheet sizes are not coincided with each other by saidjudgment step and performing setting related to sheet size selection soas to select output sheet size on the basis of data size of the imagedata inputted by said image input step.
 33. A method according to claim32, further comprising: an output control step of controlling the ownimage input/output apparatus and the another image input/outputapparatus to output the image data on sheets of which size correspondsto the output sheet size selected on the basis of the setting set bysaid setting step.
 34. A method according to claim 33, wherein saidoutput control step controls to feed an output sheet of which size isselected on the basis of the setting from a sheet feed stage storingrecording sheets and controls a printer unit to output the image datainputted by said image input step on the output sheet.
 35. A methodaccording to claim 33, wherein control information to be transmitted bysaid output control step includes an image output request to be issuedby the own image input/output apparatus and the another imageinput/output apparatus, and the another image input/output apparatusdisables selection setting of the own recording sheet size in a casewhere the image output request is received.
 36. A method according toclaim 33, wherein said image input step inputs the image data by readingoriginals using a scanner unit.
 37. An image output method of an imageinput/output apparatus capable of communicating with another imageinput/output apparatus through a communication medium for outputtinginputted image data, comprising: a judgment step of judging whether ornot an image output request using the another image input/outputapparatus and the own image input/output apparatus is received from theanother image input/output apparatus; and an output control step ofcontrolling an output condition of image data transferred from theanother image input/output apparatus, wherein said output control stepdisables sheet selection setting according to the own image input/outputapparatus in case of judging that the image output request is receivedby said judgment step.
 38. An image output method of an imageinput/output apparatus capable of communicating with another imageinput/output apparatus through a communication medium for outputtinginputted image data, comprising: an image input step of inputting imagedata; a display step of displaying sheet information of recording sheetscommonly held by the another image input/output apparatus and the ownimage input/output apparatus for outputting the image data inputted bysaid image input step on a display; a sheet selection step of selectingoutput sheet size used in outputting the image data on the basis of thesheet information displayed by said display step; and an output controlstep of controlling the own image input/output apparatus and the anotherimage input/output apparatus to output the image data on sheets of whichsize corresponds to the output sheet size selected by said sheetselection step.
 39. An image output method of an image input/outputapparatus capable of communicating with another image input/outputapparatus through a communication medium for outputting inputted imagedata, comprising: a judgment step of judging whether or not recordingsheet size set in the another image input/output apparatus is coincidedwith recording sheet size being selected by the own image input/outputapparatus in case of outputting the image data inputted by the own imageinput/output apparatus and the another image input/output apparatus; anda sheet selection step of disabling the recording sheet size beingselected by the own image input/output apparatus in a case where it isdetected that the two recording sheet sizes are not coincided with eachother by said judgment step and selecting output sheet size on the basisof data size of the inputted image data.
 40. An output control method ofa remote image input/output apparatus, which has a second scanner unitfor reading image data of originals and a second printer unit forfeeding output sheets from a sheet feed stage storing recording sheetsand printing the image data on the output sheets, capable ofcommunicating with a local image input/output apparatus which has afirst scanner unit and a first printer unit through a predeterminednetwork, comprising: a setting step of setting recording sheet size tobe selected in output sheet size selection based on size of input imagedata; a calculation step of calculating data size of the input imagedata; a sheet selection step of selecting output sheet size used inprinting the input image data by the second printer unit among recordingsheet sizes set to be selected by said setting step on the basis of acalculation result obtained by said calculation step; and a judgmentstep of judging whether or not a cascade copy request for image dataread by the first scanner unit using the first printer unit and thesecond printer unit is received from the local image input/outputapparatus, wherein the setting set by said setting step is disabled incase of judging that the cascade copy request is received by saidjudgment step, and said calculation step calculates data size of imagedata transferred from the local image input/output apparatus, said sheetselection step selects the output sheet size on the basis of thecalculation result obtained by said calculation step, and the secondprinter unit prints the transferred image data on a sheet of which sizecorresponds to the output sheet size selected by said sheet selectionstep.
 41. An output control method of a local image input/outputapparatus, which has a first scanner unit for reading image data oforiginals and a first printer unit for feeding output sheets from asheet feed stage storing recording sheets and printing the image data onthe output sheets, capable of communicating with a remote imageinput/output apparatus which has a second scanner unit and a secondprinter unit through a predetermined network, comprising: a display stepof displaying sheet information of recording sheets commonly held by theremote image input/output apparatus and the own image input/outputapparatus for printing the image data read by the first scanner unit ona display; a sheet selection step of selecting print sheet size used inprinting the image data on the basis of the sheet information displayedby said display step; and a print control step of controlling the ownimage input/output apparatus and the remote image input/output apparatusto print the image data on sheets of which size corresponds to theoutput sheet size selected by said sheet selection step, wherein controlinformation transmitted to the remote image input/output apparatus bysaid print control step includes information used in disabling selectioninformation of recording sheet size previously set by the remote imageinput/output apparatus.
 42. An output control method of a local imageinput/output apparatus, which has a first scanner unit for reading imagedata of originals and a first printer unit for feeding output sheetsfrom a sheet feed stage storing recording sheets and printing the imagedata on the output sheets, capable of communicating with a remote imageinput/output apparatus which has a second scanner unit and a secondprinter unit through a predetermined network, comprising: a deviceselection step of selecting the remote image input/output apparatus forprinting the image data read by the first scanner unit; a judgment stepof judging whether or not recording sheet size set in the remote imageinput/output apparatus selected by said device selection step iscoincided with recording sheet size being selected by the own imageinput/output apparatus; and a setting step of disabling the recordingsheet size being selected by the own image input/output apparatus in acase where it is detected that the two recording sheet sizes are notcoincided with each other by said judgment step and performing settingrelated to sheet size selection so as to select output sheet size on thebasis of data size of the image data to be read by the first scannerunit.
 43. An image input/output system which includes an imageinput/output apparatus for outputting inputted image data and anotherimage input/output apparatus capable of communicating with the imageinput/output apparatus through a communication medium, wherein the imageinput/output apparatus comprising: image input means for inputting imagedata; display means for displaying sheet information of recording sheetscommonly held by the another image input/output apparatus and the ownimage input/output apparatus for outputting the image data inputted bysaid image input means; first sheet selection means for selecting outputsheet size used in outputting the image data on the basis of the sheetinformation displayed by said display means; and output control meansfor controlling the own image input/output apparatus and the anotherimage input/output apparatus to output the image data on sheets of whichsize corresponds to the output sheet size selected by said first sheetselection means, while the another image input/output apparatuscomprising: setting means for performing setting related to sheet sizeselection; calculation means for calculating data size of the inputtedimage data; and second sheet selection means for selecting output sheetsize on the basis of a calculation result obtained by said calculationmeans and the setting set by said setting means, wherein in a case wherean image output request according to said output control means isreceived, the setting set by said setting means is disabled, and saidcalculation means calculates the data size of the image data transferredfrom the another image input/output apparatus and said second sheetselection means selects the output sheet size on the basis of thecalculation result obtained by said calculation means.
 44. An imageinput/output system which includes an image input/output apparatus foroutputting inputted image data and another image input/output apparatuscapable of communicating with the image input/output apparatus through acommunication medium, wherein the image input/output apparatuscomprising: image input means for inputting image data; device selectionmeans for selecting the another image input/output apparatus foroutputting the image data inputted by said image input means; judgmentmeans for judging whether or not recording sheet size set in the anotherimage input/output apparatus selected by said device selection means iscoincided with recording sheet size being selected by the own imageinput/output apparatus; and first setting means for disabling therecording sheet size being selected by the own image input/outputapparatus in a case where it is detected that the two recording sheetsizes are not coincided with each other by said judgment means andperforming setting related to sheet size selection so as to selectoutput sheet size on the basis of data size of the image data inputtedby said image input means, while the another image input/outputapparatus comprising: second setting means for performing settingrelated to sheet size selection; calculation means for calculating datasize of the inputted image data; and sheet selection means for selectingoutput sheet size on the basis of a calculation result obtained by saidcalculation means and the setting set by said setting means, wherein ina case where an image output request of outputting image data inputtedby the another image input/output apparatus using the another imageinput/output apparatus and the own image input/output apparatus isreceived, the setting set by said second setting means is disabled, andsaid calculation means calculates the data size of the image datatransferred from the another image input/output apparatus and said sheetselection means selects the output sheet size on the basis of thecalculation result obtained by said calculation means.
 45. An imageinput/output system which includes an image input/output apparatus foroutputting inputted image data and another image input/output apparatuscapable of communicating with the image input/output apparatus through acommunication medium, wherein the image input/output apparatuscomprising: image input means for inputting image data; display meansfor displaying sheet information of recording sheets commonly held bythe another image input/output apparatus and the own image input/outputapparatus for outputting the image data inputted by said image inputmeans; sheet selection means for selecting output sheet size used inoutputting the image data on the basis of the sheet informationdisplayed by said display means; and first output control means forcontrolling the own image input/output apparatus and the another imageinput/output apparatus to output the image data on sheets of which sizecorresponds to the output sheet size selected by said sheet selectionmeans, while the another image input/output apparatus comprising:judgment means for judging whether or not an image output request to beissued by said first output control means is received from the anotherimage input/output apparatus; and second output control means forcontrolling an output condition of image data transferred from theanother image input/output apparatus, wherein said output control meansdisables sheet selection setting according to the own image input/outputapparatus in case of judging that the image output request is receivedby said judgment means.
 46. An image input/output system which includesan image input/output apparatus for outputting inputted image data andanother image input/output apparatus capable of communicating with theimage input/output apparatus through a communication medium, wherein theimage input/output apparatus comprising: first judgment means forjudging whether or not recording sheet size set in the another imageinput/output apparatus is coincided with recording sheet size beingselected by the own image input/output apparatus in case of outputtingthe image data inputted by the own image input/output apparatus and theanother image input/output apparatus; and sheet selection means fordisabling the recording sheet size being selected by the own imageinput/output apparatus in a case where it is detected that the tworecording sheet sizes are not coincided with each other by said firstjudgment means and selecting output sheet size on the basis of data sizeof the inputted image data, while the another image input/outputapparatus comprising: second judgment means for judging whether or notan image output request using the another image input/output apparatusand the own image input/output apparatus is received from the anotherimage input/output apparatus; and output control means for controllingan output condition of image data transferred from the another imageinput/output apparatus, wherein said output control means disables sheetselection setting according to the own image input/output apparatus incase of judging that the image output request is received by said secondjudgment means.
 47. An image input/output system which includes a localimage input/output apparatus having a first scanner unit for readingimage data of originals and a first printer unit for feeding outputsheets from a sheet feed stage storing recording sheets and printing theimage data on the output sheets, and a remote image input/outputapparatus having a second scanner unit and a second printer unit capableof communicating with the local image input/output apparatus through apredetermined network, wherein the local image input/output apparatuscomprising: display means for displaying sheet information of recordingsheets commonly held by the remote image input/output apparatus and theown image input/output apparatus for printing the image data read by thefirst scanner unit; first sheet selection means for selecting printsheet size used in printing the image data on the basis of the sheetinformation displayed by said display means; and print control means forcontrolling the own image input/output apparatus and the remote imageinput/output apparatus to print the image data on sheets of which sizecorresponds to the output sheet size selected by said first sheetselection means, while the remote image input/output apparatuscomprising: setting means for setting recording sheet size to beselected in output sheet size selection based on size of input imagedata; calculation means for calculating data size of the input imagedata; second sheet selection means for selecting output sheet size usedin printing the input image data by the second printer unit amongrecording sheet sizes set to be selected by said setting means on thebasis of a calculation result obtained by said calculation means; andjudgment means for judging whether or not an image output request to beissued by said print control means is received from the local imageinput/output apparatus, wherein the setting set by said setting means isdisabled in case of judging that the image output request is received bysaid judgment means, and said calculation means calculates data size ofimage data transferred from the local image input/output apparatus, saidsecond sheet selection means selects the output sheet size on the basisof the calculation result obtained by said calculation means, and thefirst printer unit prints the transferred image data on a sheet of whichsize corresponds to the output sheet size selected by said sheetselection means.
 48. An image input/output system which includes a localimage input/output apparatus having a first scanner unit for readingimage data of originals and a first printer unit for feeding outputsheets from a sheet feed stage storing recording sheets and printing theimage data on the output sheets, and a remote image input/outputapparatus having a second scanner unit and a second printer unit capableof communicating with the local image input/output apparatus through apredetermined network, wherein the local image input/output apparatuscomprising: device selection means for selecting the remote imageinput/output apparatus for printing the image data read by the firstscanner unit; first judgment means for judging whether or not recordingsheet size set in the remote image input/output apparatus selected bysaid device selection means is coincided with recording sheet size beingselected by the own image input/output apparatus; and first settingmeans for disabling the recording sheet size being selected by the ownimage input/output apparatus in a case where it is detected that the tworecording sheet sizes are not coincided with each other by said firstjudgment means and performing setting related to sheet size selection soas to select output sheet size on the basis of data size of the imagedata to be read by the first scanner unit, while the remote imageinput/output apparatus comprising: second setting means for settingrecording sheet size to be selected in output sheet size selection basedon size of input image data; calculation means for calculating data sizeof the input image data; sheet selection means for selecting outputsheet size used in printing the input image data by the second printerunit among recording sheet sizes set to be selected by said secondsetting means on the basis of a calculation result obtained by saidcalculation means; and second judgment means for judging whether or nota cascade copy request for image data read by the first scanner unitusing the first printer unit and the second printer unit is receivedfrom the local image input/output apparatus, wherein the setting set bysaid second setting means is disabled in case of judging that thecascade copy request is received by said second judgment means, and saidcalculation means calculates data size of image data transferred fromthe local image input/output apparatus, said sheet selection meansselects the output sheet size on the basis of the calculation resultobtained by said calculation means, and the second printer unit printsthe transferred image data on a sheet of which size corresponds to theoutput sheet size selected by said sheet selection means.
 49. Acomputer-readable storage medium which stores program codes for an imageoutput method of an image input/output apparatus capable ofcommunicating with another image input/output apparatus through acommunication medium for outputting inputted image data, comprising: asetting code of performing setting related to sheet size selection; acalculation code of calculating data size of the inputted image data;and a sheet selection code of selecting output sheet size on the basisof a calculation result obtained by said calculation code and thesetting set by said setting code, wherein in a case where an imageoutput request of outputting image data inputted by the another imageinput/output apparatus using the another image input/output apparatusand the own image input/output apparatus is received, the setting set bysaid setting code is disabled, and said calculation code calculates thedata size of the image data transferred from the another imageinput/output apparatus and said sheet selection code selects the outputsheet size on the basis of the calculation result obtained by saidcalculation code.
 50. A computer-readable storage medium which storesprogram codes for an image output method of an image input/outputapparatus capable of communicating with another image input/outputapparatus through a communication medium for outputting inputted imagedata, comprising: an image input code of inputting image data; a displaycode of displaying sheet information of recording sheets commonly heldby the another image input/output apparatus and the own imageinput/output apparatus for outputting the image data inputted by saidimage input code on a display; a sheet selection code of selectingoutput sheet size used in outputting the image data on the basis of thesheet information displayed by said display code; an output control codeof controlling the own image input/output apparatus and the anotherimage input/output apparatus to output the image data on sheets of whichsize corresponds to the output sheet size selected by said sheetselection code, wherein control information to be transmitted to theanother image input/output apparatus by said output control codeincludes information used in disabling selection setting of recordingsheet size according to the another image input/output apparatus.
 51. Acomputer-readable storage medium which stores program codes for an imageoutput method of an image input/output apparatus capable ofcommunicating with another image input/output apparatus through acommunication medium for outputting inputted image data, comprising: animage input code of inputting image data; a device selection code ofselecting the another image input/output apparatus for outputting theimage data inputted by said image input code; a judgment code of judgingwhether or not recording sheet size set in the another imageinput/output apparatus selected by said device selection code iscoincided with recording sheet size being selected by the own imageinput/output apparatus; and a setting code of disabling the recordingsheet size being selected by the own image input/output apparatus in acase where it is detected that the two recording sheet sizes are notcoincided with each other by said judgment code and performing settingrelated to sheet size selection so as to select output sheet size on thebasis of data size of the image data inputted by said image input code.52. A computer-readable storage medium which stores program codes for animage output method of an image input/output apparatus capable ofcommunicating with another image input/output apparatus through acommunication medium for outputting inputted image data, comprising: ajudgment code of judging whether or not an image output request usingthe another image input/output apparatus and the own image input/outputapparatus is received from the another image input/output apparatus; andan output control code of controlling an output condition of image datatransferred from the another image input/output apparatus, wherein saidoutput control code disables sheet selection setting according to theown image input/output apparatus in case of judging that the imageoutput request is received by said judgment code.
 53. Acomputer-readable storage medium which stores program codes for an imageoutput method of an image input/output apparatus capable ofcommunicating with another image input/output apparatus through acommunication medium for outputting inputted image data, comprising: animage input code of inputting image data; a display code of displayingsheet information of recording sheets commonly held by the another imageinput/output apparatus and the own image input/output apparatus foroutputting the image data inputted by said image input code on adisplay; a sheet selection code of selecting output sheet size used inoutputting the image data on the basis of the sheet informationdisplayed by said display code; and an output control code ofcontrolling the own image input/output apparatus and the another imageinput/output apparatus to output the image data on sheets of which sizecorresponds to the output sheet size selected by said sheet selectioncode.
 54. A computer-readable storage medium which stores program codesfor an image output method of an image input/output apparatus capable ofcommunicating with another image input/output apparatus through acommunication medium for outputting inputted image data, comprising: ajudgment code of judging whether or not recording sheet size set in theanother image input/output apparatus is coincided with recording sheetsize being selected by the own image input/output apparatus in case ofoutputting the image data inputted by the own image input/outputapparatus and the another image input/output apparatus; and a sheetselection code of disabling the recording sheet size being selected bythe own image input/output apparatus in a case where it is detected thatthe two recording sheet sizes are not coincided with each other by saidjudgment code and selecting output sheet size on the basis of data sizeof the inputted image data.
 55. A computer-readable storage medium whichstores program codes for an output control method of a remote imageinput/output apparatus, which has a second scanner unit for readingimage data of originals and a second printer unit for feeding outputsheets from a sheet feed stage storing recording sheets and printing theimage data on the output sheets, capable of communicating with a localimage input/output apparatus which has a first scanner unit and a firstprinter unit through a predetermined network, comprising: a setting codeof setting recording sheet size to be selected in output sheet sizeselection based on size of input image data; a calculation code ofcalculating data size of the input image data; a sheet selection code ofselecting output sheet size used in printing the input image data by thesecond printer unit among recording sheet sizes set to be selected bysaid setting code on the basis of a calculation result obtained by saidcalculation code; and a judgment code of judging whether or not acascade copy request for image data read by the first scanner unit usingthe first printer unit and the second printer unit is received from thelocal image input/output apparatus, wherein the setting set by saidsetting code is disabled in case of judging that the cascade copyrequest is received by said judgment code, and said calculation codecalculates data size of image data transferred from the local imageinput/output apparatus, said sheet selection code selects the outputsheet size on the basis of the calculation result obtained by saidcalculation code, and the second printer unit prints the transferredimage data on a sheet of which size corresponds to the output sheet sizeselected by said sheet selection code.
 56. A computer-readable storagemedium which stores program codes for an output control method of alocal image input/output apparatus, which has a first scanner unit forreading image data of originals and a first printer unit for feedingoutput sheets from a sheet feed stage storing recording sheets andprinting the image data on the output sheets, capable of communicatingwith a remote image input/output apparatus which has a second scannerunit and a second printer unit through a predetermined network,comprising: a display code of displaying sheet information of recordingsheets commonly held by the remote image input/output apparatus and theown image input/output apparatus for printing the image data read by thefirst scanner unit on a display; a sheet selection code of selectingprint sheet size used in printing the image data on the basis of thesheet information displayed by said display code; and a print controlcode of controlling the own image input/output apparatus and the remoteimage input/output apparatus to print the image data on sheets of whichsize corresponds to the output sheet size selected by said sheetselection code, wherein control information transmitted to the remoteimage input/output apparatus by said print control code includesinformation used in disabling selection information of recording sheetsize previously set by the remote image input/output apparatus.
 57. Acomputer-readable storage medium which stores program codes for anoutput control method of a local image input/output apparatus, which hasa first scanner unit for reading image data of originals and a firstprinter unit for feeding output sheets from a sheet feed stage storingrecording sheets and printing the image data on the output sheets,capable of communicating with a remote image input/output apparatuswhich has a second scanner unit and a second printer unit through apredetermined network, comprising: a device selection code of selectingthe remote image input/output apparatus for printing the image data readby the first scanner unit; a judgment code of judging whether or notrecording sheet size set in the remote image input/output apparatusselected by said device selection code is coincided with recording sheetsize being selected by the own image input/output apparatus; and asetting code of disabling the recording sheet size being selected by theown image input/output apparatus in a case where it is detected that thetwo recording sheet sizes are not coincided with each other by saidjudgment code and performing setting related to sheet size selection soas to select output sheet size on the basis of data size of the imagedata to be read by the first scanner unit.